Instructors

Apollo Music, Inc.
3691 Darlene Ct.
Aurora, IL 60504
630.499.1911

Instructors

Dave Byron-Electric, Acoustic, Bass Guitars

Dave has been playing the guitar since the age of 11 and has been teaching for over 20 years. Dave's extensive teaching and performing background ranges from Classical to Flamenco, being inspired by performers as Al DiMeola and Paco de Lucia, and has developed his own tremolo technique used by many Flamenco style guitarists. Dave has formed with his own heavy metal bands, playing his own original material in addition to songs by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. Dave is an accomplished solo artist, performing over 40 shows per year and has just released his 6th sol album.

www.myspace.com/davebyronmusic

Tom Izzo-Trombones, Trumpet, Brass

With degrees in Music and Theater from North Central College in Naperville, additional studies at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago & the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Tom has been teaching and performing for 40 years. He is an accomplished Arranger & Composer, currently arranging for a Brass Quintet in Atlanta, GA, a Clarinet Choir in Toronto, ON, as well as serving as arranger and composer for his own Brass Quintet and various local jazz ensembles.

As Bass Trombonist of the West Suburban Symphony as well as the principal Trombonist of the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, WI, Tom is also the Founding Director of The Naperville Area Trombone Ensemble, playing Alto through Contrabass trombones.

Apollo Music is proud to have an Instructor of Tom's knowledge and experience as part of our faculty.

Cynthia Rutledge-Vocal, Beginning Piano

Cynthia received her BA in Music from Northern Illinois University and her Masters if Music in Vocal Jazz Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. Cynthia has been teaching for 15+ years, enjoys working with Special Needs students and has a diverse background with many applications, including Piano, Organ, Percussion and Steel Drum Band studies and performance. She was an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Voice at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois and Adjunct Professor at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

Cynthia thoroughly enjoys private and group instruction, helping to nurture young, beginning students, being a positive part of child's life and help them to not only learn and to love music, but to helping them develop their self-esteem and in turn making an impression on their lives.

Lisa Starr-Vocal, Beginning Piano

Lisa is a dynamically entertaining and energetic performer and instructor. Her background in classical voice provides the basic foundation from which she draws upon for both her performing and teaching disciplines. She studies music theory, piano and French horn, and has performing for over 20 years, both as a solo artist and with various jazz and pop ensembles. Her energy, enthusiasm and heartfelt soul are evident in both her teaching and performing styles.

Heather Rogers-Piano, Special Needs Instruction

Heather received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and her Masters in Special Education from National-Louis University in Wheeling, Illinois. She has taught in the public school system and privately for over 10 years. Heather has also studied piano pedagogy privately under Dr. Bruce Berr, former Head of Piano Pedagogy at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Heather has a pure joy and passion for teaching, coupled with her experience and background working with all levels of students.

Elena Poletto-Violin, Viola, Cello, Special Needs Instruction

Elena received her Bachelor Of Music in Instrumental Music Education from Hope College in Holland, MI., where she received the Presidential Scholarship and Distinguished Artist Award. She has performed with a number of ensembles while attending Hope College, as well as with the Holland Symphony Orchestra. She is currently playing Viola in the Fox Valley Philharmonic.

Elena has been teaching privately for over 3 years, she does a wonderful job working with Special Needs students and possesses an enthusiasm and passion for teaching students of all ages and skill levels.

Gus Gotsis-Drums, Percussion

Gus received his Bachelor Of Arts Degree in Music in 1979 at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. A constant performer, Gus played in the SIU Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and a variety of jazz ensembles, and was often found performing jazz, blues and R & B in many of the clubs located in the southern Illinois area. Gus has continued performing in the Chicago area for the last 30+ years and is currently working with The Chicago Kingsnakes.

Gus has been teaching privately for over 30 years, and is very comfortable teaching beginning students as well as students of all levels. He has a natural passion for working with Special Needs students and devotes much of his personal teaching time to that.

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